Day 12 :: Exploring Golden Bay
The forecast doesn't look good for my 2-day kayak trip through Abel Tasman; but then again, when has the weather here in New Zealand ever worked for me? I think it's warmer in the States than it is here... or maybe it's just the gloomy rain. I'll admit that I was expecting an austral summer here in the southern hemisphere, but it was warmer in Alaska in August.
Anyways, today I drove to Farewell Spit, which forms that hook at the northwest tip of New Zealand's southern island. It was quite foggy, drizzly and windy so it wasn't the most joyful trip, but it was a nice gettaway from civilization. In fact, before I found Farewell Spit, I took the wrong road and drove on dirt-and-gravel roads for about 30km (fording streams, driving over boulders, turning around blind switchbacks) before I realized I was heading far inland. Then later on, I made it 25km from the nearest town and up a mountain top when I noticed my tank was empty! I had to backtrack, 'lest I get stuck on a switchback on the mountain 35km from the nearest gas station. I headed back praying the whole way for my unconsequential return. A miracle I made it.
Now, I'm back in Motueka at an internet cafe praying food good weather this week. If my kayak trip gets cancelled, I'm treating myself to a nice helicopter tour of the mountains. Bah humbug.
Anyways, today I drove to Farewell Spit, which forms that hook at the northwest tip of New Zealand's southern island. It was quite foggy, drizzly and windy so it wasn't the most joyful trip, but it was a nice gettaway from civilization. In fact, before I found Farewell Spit, I took the wrong road and drove on dirt-and-gravel roads for about 30km (fording streams, driving over boulders, turning around blind switchbacks) before I realized I was heading far inland. Then later on, I made it 25km from the nearest town and up a mountain top when I noticed my tank was empty! I had to backtrack, 'lest I get stuck on a switchback on the mountain 35km from the nearest gas station. I headed back praying the whole way for my unconsequential return. A miracle I made it.
Now, I'm back in Motueka at an internet cafe praying food good weather this week. If my kayak trip gets cancelled, I'm treating myself to a nice helicopter tour of the mountains. Bah humbug.
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